Show Your Support for Inky Legislation

E-mail the House Environment Subcommittee in Maryland to show your support of Inky legislation.

1. Create a new message to the committee at ISupportInky@aol.com.
2. Cut and paste the following text into the body of your message.
3. Please add your name in the appropriate spaces
4. Conclude the e-mail with your name, address, and e-mail address.

Dear Congressperson:

I/We_________________ urge you and your colleagues to support the Inky legislation. This legislation will ban balloon releases (20 or more) in the state of Maryland. The purpose of the bill is to reduce litter and reduce litter and marine debris while lowering the number of entangled or stranded marine animals.

Marine debris, or trash that can fall into our oceans and other marine environments, is detrimental to the environment in many ways. Not only does it pollute our water sources, making them unhealthy for the humans that live near them, it directly affects the marine life that lives within these ecosystems. Balloons, released often at public celebrations, promotions, events, and even in classes, are included in this type of debris. Balloon releases, while they may seem fun, can become deadly to marine animals, typically rising 5 miles in the air, bursting, and returning to land or sea in small pieces that are easily consumed.

“Inky” the pygmy sperm whale is one of the more memorable cases of an animal impacted by marine debris, particularly a Mylar balloon found in her stomach. Inky was lucky – she was released back into the ocean. Most animals impacted by marine debris die at sea, their deaths unknown.
         
I/We__________________ feel that it is important to help animals like “Inky” and other marine animals such as sea turtles, dolphins, and sharks by protecting the environment in which they live. Thank you for your consideration and support for Inky legislation.

Sincerely,

Inky's story of survival is an inspiration to students, adults, and even Maryland lawmakers. The tracking of Inky provided new insights into the behaviors of pygmy sperm whales.

Pygmy Sperm Whale, "Inky"